Film Streams At the Ruth Sokolof Theater 2009 Year

Film Streams
At the Ruth Sokolof Theater
2009 Year-End Report
Dear Film Streams
Friends,
What an incredible two and a half years it has been! We’re so
fortunate to have a wonderful staff, board of directors, and
volunteers keeping the momentum going, and whether you’ve
seen films at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, brought friends to the
movies, become a member, volunteered, or given a significant
donation, all of you have helped Film Streams to grow into a vital
part of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. The fact that we reached
our fundraising goals in 2009, a difficult year for nonprofit arts
organizations, is an amazing tribute both to your generosity and
to our community’s passion for this unique arts venue.
The most gratifying thing about being the Director of Film
Streams is constantly hearing from so many of you about your
experiences here at the Ruth Sokolof Theater. More than 40,000
people came to our community cinema in 2009. Visitors bought
tickets for little-known American Independents like MEDICINE
FOR MELANCHOLY and SITA SINGS THE BLUES; foreign films
from France, Israel, and Italy set in India, Lebanon, and Argentina;
documentaries on subjects ranging from saving dolphins in Japan
to women’s liberation in Liberia to Ivy League college football;
classic films as they were meant to be seen—on the big screen,
with an audience. Thousands came for our Collaborative Film
Events with other nonprofits and participated in screenings and
discussions with local experts, film subjects, and the filmmakers
themselves.
In 2010, you’ll see some major upgrades at our concessions stand,
more new films from all over the world, and a local filmmaker
initiative to launch careers here in Omaha and the surrounding
region. We’ll continue to fulfill our promise of presenting enriching,
community-building experiences around cinema.
For our second annual fundraiser gala, Feature
2009, Film Streams welcomed acclaimed actress
Debra Winger to the Holland Performing Arts
Center for a spirited and entertaining conversation
with Oscar-winning filmmaker and Film Streams
Board Member Alexander Payne. The event raised
more than $149,000 for the Ruth Sokolof Theater.
“Places like Film Streams are now
making us realize that there’s
something [about experiencing
cinema in a theater with an
audience] that can’t be examined.
It just has to be acknowledged.
It’s important.”
— Debra Winger
(Feature 2009, September 13, 2009)
Debra Winger and Alexander Payne.
I’m so excited to continue to watch Film Streams grow and evolve!
Thank you all so much for contributing to the cultural vibrancy of
our wonderful community and engaging with the potential and
power of the art of film. As always, please feel free to contact me
with questions, comments, and requests (402.933.0259, ext. 12;
rachel@filmstreams.org).
All my best wishes for 2010!
Rachel Jacobson
Director, Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater
Feature 2009 Event Chairpersons Annette and Paul Smith with Film
Streams Director Rachel Jacobson and special guest Debra Winger.
First-Run Films
From internationally acclaimed directors like Jane Campion (BRIGHT STAR), Francis Ford Coppola (TETRO), and the Coen brothers
(A SERIOUS MAN) to rising filmmakers such as Ramin Bahrani (GOODBYE SOLO), Steve McQueen (HUNGER), and Lynn Shelton
(HUMPDAY), the past year brought a wonderful variety of new films to the Ruth Sokolof Theater. In all, we premiered 35 new films
in 2009, including a diverse selection of American independents, documentaries, and foreign films from more than a dozen countries.
Top 10 Most Popular Premieres of 2009
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Food, Inc. (USA)
A Serious Man (USA)
Bright Star (UK/Australia/France)
Chéri (UK/France/Germany)
Oscar Shorts – Animated & Live Action (Various
countries)
Gomorra (Italy)
The September Issue (USA)
Goodbye Solo (USA)
Waltz with Bashir (Israel/Germany/France/USA)
The Messenger (USA)
Repertory Films
“The value & inspiration
& introspection &
More than 90 classics returned to the big screen in 2009 as part of Film Streams’ repertory
curiosity that Film
program. We celebrated great directors (John Cassavetes), performers (Henry Fonda, Debra
Streams brings to our
Winger), genres (Westerns), an extraordinary era (New Hollywood: American 70s, sponsored
lives is immeasurable!”
by Sam Walker and Elizabeth Emlen Walker), new 35mm restorations (LOLA MONTÉS, THE
WILD CHILD, MANHATTAN) and much more in what has become one of the most extensive
classic film programs in the country. In addition, we expanded our children’s programming
(supported in part by Lincoln Financial Foundation) to 13 family-friendly films.
—Film Streams Members Amy
& Stuart Chittenden
Top 10 Most Popular Classics of 2009
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
The Wizard of Oz 1939
Amadeus 1984
Gone with the Wind 1939
The Never-Ending Story 1984
12 Angry Men 1959
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly 1966
Lawrence of Arabia 1962
The Princess Bride 1987
The Wild Child 1970
Minnie & Moskowitz 1971
Education
Each and every month, students can experience great cinema
for FREE as part of our Student Nights program (supported
by the Peter Kiewit Foundation) and High School Film Club
(supported by the Qwest Foundation). In 2009, more than
1,000 students took advantage of these programs, including
students from over 20 high schools or middle schools in the
Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area, 14 colleges and universities
in Nebraska and SW Iowa, and more than 40 other schools
throughout the country. While we like those numbers, we want
to see them grow significantly in 2010. Please help us by telling
every student you know about the free opportunities available
to them at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater! For more info,
visit our Education page at filmstreams.org.
Community Development
& Special Programs
In addition to presenting great cinema 365 days a year (weather permitting!), we also strive to create arts opportunities beyond
the films themselves. The past year brought a wonderful variety of special events to the theater, including numerous collaborative
screenings overseen by our outstanding Community Development Committee.
An Evening with Seymour Cassel
(Feb 13, 2009)
Special screening of MINNIE &
MOSKOWITZ with post-show
Q&A with star Seymour Cassel.
Breaking Away (Jul 9, 2009)
Screening and discussion with
former Omaha planning director
Marty Shukert, presented
with Activate Omaha.
Reporter (Oct 27, 2009)
Screening and discussion with director
Eric Metzgar and Dr. Ngwarsungu
Chiwengo of Creighton University,
presented with KANEKO.
Antwone Fisher (Mar 10, 2009)
Screening and discussion with
Antwone Fisher in person,
presented with Project Harmony.
Wild About Omaha (Jul 24, 2009)
Free screenings of THE LAST
WALTZ & MONTEREY POP in
conjunction with an outdoor concert
at Slowdown, part of Mutual of
Omaha’s centennial celebration.
American Stories
(Oct 30 – Nov 12, 2009)
Eight documentaries and two
director screenings presented
with the Nebraska Humanities
Council and Federation of State
Humanities Councils.
The Battle for Whiteclay
(Mar 28, 2009)
Special screening and discussion
with director Mark Vasina and
activist Frank LaMere.
Gone with the Wind
(Apr 17-23, 2009)
Presented with Lauritzen Gardens
and Omaha Community Playhouse.
Amadeus (Apr 24-30, 2009)
Presented with Omaha Symphony,
and featuring a special screening with
Music Director Thomas Wilkins.
Two Million Minutes (May 5, 2009)
Screening and discussion presented
with the Youth Leadership
Omaha Ambassadors.
Food Fight (Jun 2, 2009)
Screening and discussion with
director Christopher Taylor,
presented with Alegent Health.
Food, Inc. (August 4, 2009)
Special screening and
panel discussion.
The Assassination of Jesse James
by the Coward Robert Ford
(Aug 23, 2009)
Special screening and discussion with
author Ron Hansen, presented with
the (downtown) Omaha Lit Fest.
The Miracle Worker (Aug 25, 2009)
Screening and panel discussion
presented with the Nebraska
Foundation for Visually
Impaired Children (NFVIC).
Soul Power (Oct 6, 2009)
Special screening and discussion with
Peggy Jones and Dr. Zebulon Miletsky
from UNO’s Dept. of Black Studies.
Inherit the Wind (Oct 13, 2009)
Screening and discussion
presented with ACLU Nebraska.
Hollywood Chinese (Nov 5, 2009)
Screening and discussion with
director Arthur Dong, presented
with the Nebraska Humanities
Council and Federation of State
Humanities Councils.
Revolution ’67 (Nov 6, 2009)
Screening and discussion with
directors Marylou TibaldoBongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno,
presented with the Nebraska
Humanities Council and Federation
of State Humanities Councils.
The Insider (Nov 17, 2009)
Screening and discussion with
attorney Charles J. Mikhail, presented
with UNO’s College of Arts &
Sciences, the Dept. of History, and the
University of Nebraska Foundation.
Objectified (Dec 17, 2009)
Screening and discussion presented
with design alliance OMAha and
Omaha Creative Institute.
Ongoing Collaborations
Arthouse: Bemis Artists Talk Film
Special screenings and discussions featuring Bemis
Center artists and moderated by Bemis Center curator
Hesse McGraw. Films and topics in 2009 included
François Truffaut’s, THE WILD CHILD, the works and
influence of director John Cassavetes, Sidney Lumet’s
DOG DAY AFTERNOON, and a very special screening of
THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER with
artist-chef Paul Renner.
The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
Presented with Opera Omaha. Prelude talks in 2009
featured Opera Omaha General Director John Wehrle, Stage
Director Jim de Blasis, KANEKO Director Hal France, UNL
Director of Opera William Shomos, Opera Omaha Resident
Music Director J. Gawf, and Opera Omaha Artistic Advisor
& Principal Stage Director Garnett Bruce.
*Figures have not been audited at time of publication
2009 Income & Expenditures
Contributed Income
Individual Giving
Foundation Gifts
Corporate Gifts
Feature 2009
Government
$62,257.00
$136,700.00
$12,651.70
$149,555.00
$49,660.00
Total Contributed
Theater Operations
Administration
$410,823.70
Operational Income
Box Office
Concessions
Membership Dues
Interest, Rentals & Other Revenue
Sales Tax Reconciliation
Total Earned Revenue
To/From Unrestricted Net Assets
Total Income
$257,544.00
$78,773.67
$109,310.00
$30,940.11
-$27,403.25
$449,164.53
$60,353.69
$920,341.92
Programming
Expense
Theater Operations
Programming
Administration
Total Expense
Film Streams Supporters
Many thanks to the following contributors for
their support of the Ruth Sokolof Theater.
Gifts &
Donations
$20,000+
Anonymous
Weitz Family Foundation
Nebraska Arts Council
Todd & Betiana Simon
Foundation
Richard D. Holland
$10,000 – $19,999
Paul & Annette Smith
Omaha Steaks
Richard D. Holland
Bluestem Prairie Foundation
Sokolof Family Foundation
$5,000 – $9,999
Anonymous
Sam Walker
& Elizabeth Emlen Walker
Douglas County Visitor
Improvement Fund
Nancy & David Jacobson
The Burlington Capital Group/
Gail & Michael B. Yanney
Tom & Mary Jetton
Charitable Fund
Peter Kiewit Foundation
Kiewit Corporation
Kutak Rock, LLP
Bob & Maggie Mundy
Joel & Nancy Schlessinger
Fred & Eve Simon
Valmont Industries, Inc.
Mike & Brenda Whealy
$1,000 – $4,999
Anonymous**
Jane Huerter Weekly
Dan & Esther Brabec
Soralee & Jerry Cohn
Rose Blumkin Foundation
Lincoln Financial Foundation
George & Peggy Payne
Borsheims Fine Jewelry & Gifts
First National Bank of Omaha
Mike & Susan Lebens
Dean & Jessie Rasmussen
Jerre Tritsch
& Kimberly Dunovan
Saddle Creek
University Of Nebraska
Foundation
Aviture Inc.
Jim & Karen Linder
Kevin McCarthy
Alexander Payne
Sue & Steve Seline
Aaron Ferer & Sons, Co.
Chris, Sue & Madeleine Behr
Hal & Ashlee Koch
Ann & Ken Stinson
Anne Thorne Weaver
Lindsey Miller-Lerman
Fred & Marcia Backer
Sandy & John Lehr
Jill & Terry Petersen
Carol Gendler
Peter & Kristae Zandbergen
Scott & Sheila Anderson
Bill & Monica Blizek
Charles Gifford
& Michele Van Deventer
Shannon & Rik Bonness
Terry & Catherine Ferguson
Genereux Investment
Management
Nelson & Linda Gordman
Ree Schonlau & Jun Kaneko
Gary & Sally Kaplan
Rocky Lewis
Tom & Patti Peterson
John & Terrie Ringwalt
Mr. & Mrs. Harley Schrager
John & Dianne Scott
Don & Beth Van de Water
$500 – $999
Anonymous*
University Of Nebraska
At Omaha
Gerry Morrow
Holly & Bruce Hoberman
Richard & Joanie Jacobson
Alan & Marcia Baer Family
Charitible Trust
Dr. Douglas & Karen Brouillette
Roger & Jody duRand
W. Eric Bunderson
Terry Calek & Lee Polikov
Plonsker Financial
Management Consulting
Susan Thomas & Steve
Hutchinson
Harold & Kathleen Logan
Kathy & Gary Ensz
Ed & Colleen Warin
Drs. Magda Peck & Jim
Anderson
Robert & Karen Duncan
Robert M. Patterson
Stuart & Amy Chittenden
Janette Davis
Col. Patricia Fornes & Col. Doug
Marshall
Gail & Irv Veitzer
Kelly Anderson
Rabbi Aryeh & Elyce Azriel
David & Lea Bailis
Jerry Banks
Ann Bordwine Beeder, MD
Dr. Frederick Bronski
Bob Broom & Mary Clarkson
Amy Coacher
Edythe Cohn
James & Laura Commers
Marcy & Ira Cotton
Fred & Janet Davis
Tony & Claudia Deeb
Alice & Charlie Deffenbaugh
Bev & Dick Fellman
Betsy Ware & Andrew
Fippinger
Anne C. Foley
Ellyn Grant
Jerry & Patricia Gress
Terry & Judy Haney
Julie Morsman Schroeder
Foundation
Mark Kratina
Dave & Patty Kunsemiller
Joe Sisson & Jennifer Larsen
Kallie Larsen
Chery Griffin & Chuck Lenosky
Lozier Corporation
$405,207.88
$327,895.44
$187,238.60
Tom Marfisi
Sharee & Murray Newman
Jean Ann Ballinger
& Ward Peters
Philanthropic Ventures
Foundation
Pinnacle Bank
Louise Rinn
Kevin Burr & Leslie Sanders
Susan Scherl
Security National Bank
Of Omaha
Rob & Norma Shoemaker
Jim & Deb Suttle
Trilety Wade
$250 – $499
Anonymous***
Mary & Tom Bernstein
John Detisch
& Hillary Nather-Detisch
Tom & Sarah Waldman
Arnold & Anne Weitz
Jill & Joe Goldstein
Don & Julie Stavneak
Whole Foods Market
Bob & Kathy Binderup
Ron Widman & Julie Crowell
Shari Hofschire
Laurie & Charles Kay Jr.
Gail & Harry Koch
Ed & Ilga Rauchut
Lisa & Peter Reitzes
Carol & Rick Russell
Mary Beth & Jim Winner
Larry & Peggy Zier
Michael & Laura Alley
Mary Beth & Mike Flanagan
Jim & Anne Carroll
Duane & Monte Thompson
John & Mary Wilson
Joan & Richard O’Brien
Karen O’Dowd & Bob Slovek
Paul Mileris & Robin Behlers
Jim & Regina Boulay
Jeff & Danielle Gordman
Stacy Heatherly
Mary Helms
Hunter Jones
Margaret Kirkeby
$920,341.92
Shane & David Kotok
Patrick Lavelle
Margaret Lim
Janie & Allan Murow
Linde Ringling
Layne & Pamela Yahnke
Sandi & Bill Bruns
Nancy Noddle
Suzanne Singer
Janine Ucchino
& Christopher Tjaden
Larry & Andi Kavich
Connie Keith
Susan & Jeffrey Aizenberg
Carolyn Anderson
Mogens & Cindy Bay
BBG Artistry
Andrew Bernstein
Jon & Amy Blumenthal
My Boes
Eric Brunt
Jan Buckingham
Julie & Charles Burt
Bruce & Sharon Clawson
Marla & Robert Cohen
Ken & Alison Cowan
Creighton University
Bruce & Lisa Dale
Hal & Mary Daub
Jill & Mike Erman
Mike Krainak & Janet Farber
Flatiron Cafe
Howard Kaplan & Julie Frank
Michael Gallner
David & Linda Gardels
Leonard & Shirley Goldstein
John M. Guzallis
Jaime Hackbart
Cookie & Jerry Hoberman
Jane Hood
Dr. Maurice L. Jay
Mike & Barbara Kelly
Kurt Andersen & Anne Kreamer
Clark & Emily Lauritzen
Bill & Kathy Lydiatt
Dr. Ruth & J. Terry Macnamara
Jason & Bree MacTaggart
Lynn Harland & Harmon Maher
Dennis & Marilyn Mailliard
Christine & Sean Malloy
Todd Robinson
& Cheryle Manasil
Steve & Susan McWhorter
Emily & Craig Moody
Rod & Jane Moseman
Patty & Steve Nogg
Gary Marshall & Ilka Oberst
Kim Kalkowski
& Robert Ottemann
Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Owen
John & Mary Joyce Passarelli
Emily Brush
& Stephen Pedersen
William & Jeanne Penry
John & Julie Petr
Jeff & Barb Popp
Iris & Marty Ricks
Kim & Bill Roberts
Mark Rousseau
Jeanne & Pat Salerno
Mike & Kim Schwab
Judy Schweikart
Greg Searson
John Selig
Bruce & Anne Shackman
Charles G. & Susan L. Smith
Leonard & Kate Sommer
Thomas Fay & Joan Squires
Robert & Karen Sundell
John R. Sunderman
Mike & Susan Toohey
Carol & David Van Metre
Judy Vann
Eduardo Vasquez
Nathan Weinert
Todd White
Jim & Judy Wigton
John Wilhelm
Lyn & John Ziegenbein
Speedy & Debbi Zweiback
Gifts In
Memoriam
Sandy Matthews
In Memory of Bill Matthews,
in honor of
The Met: Live in HD
In Kind Support
The River 89.7FM
91.5 KIOS FM
Alley Poyner Macchietto
Barnhart Press
Blue Sushi
John Brodston
Rob Gilmer
Hilton Omaha
International Minute Press
Kiser Design Construct
Kutak Rock, LLP
La Charlotte
Joey Lynch
Metro Magazine
Omaha City Weekly
Omaha Mail Inc.
Oxide Design Co.
Paparazzi by Appointment
Spirit World
The Reader
Board of Directors
Scott Anderson
Andy Holland
David Jacobson, Chairman
Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Director
Mark Javitch
Alexander Payne
John P. Schlegel, S.J.
Steven W. Seline
Betiana Simon
Paul G. Smith
Katie Weitz White
Advisory Board
Kurt Andersen
Myriel Boes
Jason Kulbel
Danny Lee Ladely
Robb Nansel
Joel Schlessinger
Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein
Michael B. Yanney,
Director Emeritus
Finance Committee
John Carpenter
Tina Cherica
Mark Javitch
Art McGill
Ted Warin
Design Partner
Oxide Design Co.
FILM STREAMS DESIGN PARTNER
Film Streams Staff
& 2009 Favorites
Education Committee
Steve Brock
Bev Fellman
Stephen Gunvalson
Mark Kratina
Robert Patterson
Julie Rowse
Timothy Schaffert
Nancy Schlessinger
William Steinke
Lindsay Trapnell
David Weisser
Katie Weitz White, Chair
Community
Development
Committee
Jonathan Benjamin Alvarado
Daphne Aronson
Rabbi Aryeh Azriel
Ward Chambers
Jim Esch
Ben Gray
David Jacobson
Patrick McNamara
Magda Peck
Kristin Williams
Rachel Jacobson
Founder/Director
First-Run: Sita Sings the Blues
Classic: Dog Day Afternoon
Casey Logan
Communications Coord.
First-Run: Hunger
Classic: Faces
Hallie Sharkey
Membership Associate
First-Run: Sita Sings the Blues
Classic: Dog Day Afternoon
Maggie Wood
Office & Operations Manager
First-Run: The September Issue
Classic: Rushmore
Andrew Bouska
Associate Manager
First-Run: Bright Star
Classic: The Wizard of Oz
Amanda Fehlner
Shift Manager
First-Run: Waltz with Bashir
Classic: The Secret of NIMH
Aaron Haug
Shift Manager
First-Run: Goodbye Solo
Classic: Taxi Driver
Cooper Moon
Shift Manager
First-Run: Tetro
Classic: Rosemary’s Baby
Craig D
Theater Staff
First-Run: A Serious Man
Classic: Rosemary’s Baby
Joe Knapp
Theater Staff
First-Run: Revanche
Classic: The Parallax View
Chris Viner
Theater Staff
First-Run: The Beaches of Agnès
Classic: Faces
Jim Foyt
Projectionist
First-Run: Gomorra
Classic: Lawrence of Arabia
Jeff Jenkins
Projectionist
Lindsay Trapnell
Education Program Coord.
First-Run: Bright Star
Classic: The Landlord
Connie White
Balcony Booking
First-Run: Revanche
Classic: Johnny Guitar